Another one gone

After a bit of a lull during which some people might have thought enough money had already been made from it flogging off property, the Anglican Church in Tasmania has another church for sale.

Or rather a church building that has been retired from such use because it apparently has been closed for a while. Yet as with others already disposed of elsewhere, it has a particular history to its area – the Church of St David’s (funny how that name has been cropping up of late) at Cooee.

It’s been given prominence in the latest Mercury Real Estate Guide (offered for sale by tender with Roberts at Burnie, closing May 28) and the message: “Your piece of history? What an opportunity! It is very rare when these properties become available.”

I’m not sure where the “very rare” comes in, considering the rate at which the Anglican Church has been selling them.

Although not of the really “golden oldie” variety, St David’s is still an impressive large place with a history and a personal family one at that, with a Mrs Boston paying the cost of its construction – and at four thousand pounds it was a big sum for those days – as a memorial to her daughter.

It was built in 1931, but sadly Mrs Boston died before the beautiful red brick church was consecrated, in May, 1932.

While this St David’s wasn’t included on the list of list of the original Rationalisation of Church Buildings Ordinance, 1997, which set the scene for the sell-offs, its fate was apparent in recent years. When Rev Aileen Fitzgerald was ordained there in January of 2008, this was recorded as being the “first and possibly the last ordination in the church”, because it was to be closed when renovations to St George’s in Burnie were completed.

The sale by tender date closure coincides with the first day of the Anglican Synod meeting for two days at Launceston Church Grammar School. One wonders if the delegates will pause to reflect on the many church closures, what their loss has meant to worshippers, particularly the older congregations, and whether
there will be disclosure of what the sales have netted.

I note from the April edition of the Tasmanian Anglican magazine that “financial considerations” will take up some of Synod’s time, and this accompanying comment: “Members will be asked to consider in what ways the Estimates approved in recent years may have failed to recognise the true cost of maintaining the core activities of the Diocese.”

It should also be noted that not all old churches meet ready buyers – All Saints at Margate being a case in point. Another solid brick building from the 1930s, it was first advertised for sale back in July last year. Asking price then was “over $250,000”. It was advertised again the next month at “around $275,000”.. Now it’s been advertised once more, at “$240,000-$255,000”.

Perhaps the zoning as “business and civic” might have something to do with it not having sold.